Action research as a strategy to develop undergraduates’ research tool kit in the light of their experience

Abstract

The article presents the authors’ reflections on the application of action research strategy in developing the research toolkit of undergraduates at the Nicolaus Copernicus University Faculty of Pedagogical Sciences. The research was based on students’ opinions on conducting research using the action research strategy. Opinions were collected using semistructured interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. The study involved 16 students of pedagogy, participants of a proseminar and a diploma seminar. The students were preparing to work on their diploma theses and conduct a research process. The selected students elected to implement the action research strategy into their scientific activity. Data collected during the interviews attest to the usefulness of the adopted strategy which the respondents found helpful in solving educational issues in the examined communities. The undergraduates presented their opinions on action research, methods of identifying research problems, and the benefits of implementing action research in the course of scientific research activities. They also indicated difficulties in carrying out action research and stated research competencies recommended to equip future teachers with.